Pulmonary Program

While all Kindred centers care for patients with pulmonary diagnoses, some centers offer additional and advanced capabilities to care for these patients. Our pulmonary program helps patients breathe easier. Through this program, our patients benefit from specialized processes, tools and equipment as well as an interdisciplinary team with specific training and extra experience for the conditions they treat.

Our pulmonary program is designed to help each patient achieve positive outcomes through evidence-based clinical care so that each patient can regain function – all with the combination of critical thinking and clinical excellence that has made Kindred a leader in the field.

Over 20 years ago, Kindred Healthcare pioneered the first hospitals in the nation to specialize in pulmonary treatment—primarily ventilator management and weaning. The pulmonary treatment we provide continues that same tradition of quality care.

Interdisciplinary Care Team

Our patients have access to an interdisciplinary care team consisting of:

Pulmonologists or other specially trained consulting physicians

Nurses trained in pulmonary and respiratory interventions and management strategies

Recovery and Results

We continually strive to improve patient outcomes and rates of recovery and to reduce the need for patients to return to the hospital. For patients in our pulmonary program, we focus on improving these key areas:

Activities of daily living

Distance walked during a six-minute walk test

Pain management

Changes in breathlessness and exertion during exercise

Easy Referral, Admission and Discharge

We offer streamlined processes for referral, admission and discharge home. This enables patients to quickly receive the care they need after they leave the hospital and get home faster once they are better. We also feature progressive care planning and education designed to help prepare patients for care at home or transition to a less complex care setting as quickly as their needs allow.